CURRENTS June 2017 | Page 19

Currents June 2017 19 > continued from page 18 Versus Jacko’s Complete Auto Service Oil Change $29.95 w/Coupon (HASMAT $6.95) FREE Tire Rotation with Oil Change on most cars Exp. 06-30-2017 Air Conditioning Service — Brake Service — Radiator Service Engine Tune-up — Transmission Tune-up — Mufflers Pre-Emission Testing — Other General Repairs 1141 W. McNab Road Andrews sheep and goats can survive, and olive trees can grow. These hardly trees produce a wonderful fruit which, when pressed, produces the fragrant, flavor- ful oil which is an essential ingredient in Mediter- ranean cuisine. The rivalry between butter and olive oil is nothing new. The ancient Greeks and Romans preferred olive oil. One reason is clearly practical - namely, butter would quickly spoil in the Mediterranean climate. But there was also a touch of cultural snobbishness in this preference. For the Greeks and the Romans, butter - which they disparagingly referred to as “cow's cheese” - was fit only for northern barbarians! In southern Europe, the olive tree has always been considered sacred. According to an ancient myth, the goddess Athena gave the olive tree to the Greeks as a special gift. With this oil, they could cook their food, light their homes, cure their dis- eases, and honor their gods. As a sign of gratitude, the Greeks named the city of Athens after this god- dess. They built the magnificent temple called the Parthenon in her honor. The olive tree is also mentioned in the Bible, but in a very different context. According to the Book of Genesis, God decided to destroy the world because people on earth had been so wicked. Only Noah would be saved. Following God's instructions, Noah built an ark large enough for his family and also a pair of every animal, bird and reptile. The great flood came, and submerged the entire world in watery silence. After forty long days and nights, Noah released a dove to see if the danger had passed. When the dove returned, s